Banners dotting the 19-turn, 2.074-mile course throughout arguably the world’s most picturesque racing setting capture the buzz of this weekend’s Formula E Prix, the ninth of 16 Season 9 events.
“Fait For Monaco” – “Made For Monaco” – they brag, referring to the Gen3 car that has set records and produced six different winners in the first half of this season.
Optimized for street circuits, this Gen3 powerplant is the lightest, fastest, and most powerful but efficient electric race car ever built. The car, which debuted at Mexico City earlier this year, will make its Monaco debut this weekend when it appears on the iconic street loop through Mirabeau and Casino Square, around the Grand Hotel Hairpin, and through the Monaco Tunnel and the Nouveau chicane.
The Gen3 has proven its accolades, particularly at the previous race, at Berlin. There the series rewrote its record books for most overtakes in a race (190), most lead changes at the line (20), and different race leaders in an event (eight). Earlier in the season, at Cape Town, South Africa, Nissan team headliner Sacha Fenestraz used the fastest lap in Formula E – 154.987 kph (96.304 mph), to take the pole position.
Moreover, the Gen3 will debut at Monaco just as Maserati and McLaren will appear on the grid together for the first time since the 1969 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix there.
It all adds up to an intriguing visit to this spiritual home of world-class motorsports.
DS/Penske racer Jean-Eric Vergne, Formula E’s lone two-time series champion, said, “Monaco is Monaco. It’s just magic.”
Paschal Wehrlein, of Tag Heuer Porsche, leads the standings. He has a dangerously thin advantage now – a mere four points – over closest opponent Nick Cassidy, of Envision Racing.
Lest technology overshadow the human element in Formula E racing, series global title sponsor ABB is introducing this weekend the “Driver of Progress Award.” It will recognize the racer who strikes the ideal balance among the tasks of pacing, overtaking, and maintaining energy efficiency and parlaying that into making up the most positions in a race.
Heading into this weekend, Avalanche Andretti’s Andre Lotterer leads the calculations.
“Progressing through the field is not an easy task in Formula E. It requires patience, quick reactions and a crucial ability to balance driving efficiently and carefully to preserve energy while fearlessly challenging to make up places. These are essential skills required to be an effective Formula E driver,” series co-founder Alberto Longo, said. “The ABB Driver of Progress Award will recognize the competitors who prove they lead the way when it comes to Formula E’s unique demand for intelligent, efficient and dynamic driving.”
CBS Sports Network will broadcast both Friday qualifying and Saturday race action along the Principality’s Mediterranean Harborfront.
Read the full article here